An Unnatural Life

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her hoy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Ephesians 5:25-28 CSB)

War, violence, unrestrained anger, race riots, rampant drug addiction, human trafficking, hatred of Christians, compromising and apostate believers, hurricanes, floods, on, and on, and on it goes. The world's need for the church to carry out its missions has never been greater. Where do we start? Should we head to Houston, load the truck with supplies for the shelter in Beaumont, invite a family of a different color over for dinner, lobby Congress for more money for drug treatment, leave home to share the Gospel in a hostile country, or walk down the block praying for our neighbors?

We start in the wedding chamber. Whether she is saved or lost, weak or strong, sick or healthy, rich or poor, loving or nagging, our wives are our first and foremost field of mission. We are commanded to demonstrate and proclaim the love of Christ to all those in need of redemption. How we treat her is perhaps the most reliable test of our true Christian character. If we do all these other things and do not have love, especially for our brides, what are we?

This morning I prayed with a group of pastors from across the country. As we came to the point of praying for our greatest concerns, almost every pastor asked for help in ministering to failing marriages. As I examine my own life, all the busyness, the ministry, I am convinced that my wife contributes more to me than I to her. And yet I am to be like Christ to her. I am to lay down my life for her, not her for me. If I gain the whole world, but fail my Jerusalem, what will I have gained? So, brothers, before we go expecting great things from God and doing great things for God, let's ask ourselves some important questions.

"Am I treating my wife like Christ treats His church?"

"Does she experience the love of Christ through me?"

"When she fails, does she hear a message of redemption and forgiveness from me, or criticism and condemnation?"

"Do I live to lay down my life for her, or do I expect her to lay hers down for me?"

Friday, September 1, 2017

Anyone who has suffered a tragic loss knows something. Whether it's a death, a fire, or a flood, they know that most of the help from others comes in the first few days. That help is essential, invaluable, and appreciated. Thousands have risked their lives and exhausted their resources already to rescue people from the destruction of this hurricane, but the work is not done. Previous survivors know that the hard work is about to begin. After rescue comes recovery. More are needed then than now. Family, friends, neighbors, volunteers are needed to mudout and rebuild.
After someone dies, everyone shows up. Friends and food are there. The day after the funeral, it's mostly just a couple of close friends and family. Two weeks later, the survivor finds herself sitting in an empty room alone. The same thing often happens after disasters, but it doesn't have to happen.
Thank God for the outpouring of brotherly love we see today in the wake of Harvey. This storm has tested our responsiveness, but the recovery will test our character. Give now, go now, but let's make sure we don't forget to go in the coming weeks and months.
Put some reminders on your cellphone calendar. Set 3 events on it; 1 in 2 weeks, 1 in 1 month, and 1 in 3 months. Entitle each one, "Volunteer To Help." Set an alarm on that day. When it goes off, pray immediately for the people recovering. Next, call your pastor, or someone in your church who does disaster relief, or some friend or family member you know who lost everything and ask this question, "What can I do to help?" Then help.
For those who are members of our church, take steps today for tomorrow. Here's how you can do that. Get a 5 gallon bucket and fill it with some things from the list below, then bring it to the church. We will send it all with our own NAMB Disaster Relief Mud Out Teams who will deploy next week. If you can't find a bucket, no problem. Just bring the items to the church.

Monday, August 28, 2017

(Texas National Guard soldiers arrive in Houston, Texas to aid citizens in heavily flooded areas from the storms of Hurricane Harvey. Photos by Lt. Zachary West , 100th MPAD)

Tens of thousands of men, women and children are suffering because of the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. Many of us have lived through natural disasters, and we know how personally difficult these days are. Many of us haven't, but we are still broken hearted by the situation. We all want to do something. What can we do?PRAY - Pray now, pray often, and don't stop praying. The most difficult time for survivors is coming. As the shock and adrenaline wear off, reality sets in and rebuilding has to take place. It doesn't get easier for victims of natural disasters. It gets harder, so keep praying.GIVE - Thousands of rescue workers are already there, like the Texas National Guardsman above, and most of those are already funded by our tax dollars. Thousands of relief workers are staging to do mud-out, debris removal, and bring meals and other supplies to victims. Most of the disaster relief that happens is not funded by our taxes, but by our contributions.GIVE TO KINGDOM WORK - If you Google disaster relief, you'll find any number of ways to contribute financially. There is America Cares, American Red Cross, Federal Disaster Assistance, and others. While they are all worth and all help, your concern as a Christian is not just to provide food, clothing and shelter, but to also provide Christ, His love, and His Gospel to those in need.So, consider giving to one of these organizations who will also Pray for, Care for, and Share the Gospel with disaster victims. All you have to do is click on the name and it will take you to their website.BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEFSAMARITAN'S PURSE RELIEFSALVATION ARMY RELIEF

GO - Honestly it's too late for you to go and be part of the initial response to Hurricane Harvey, but it's not too late for you to help in person. If you're interested in being part of a team that will go and help rebuild, contact our church. As soon as those plans are in place, we will connect you with a team.